Monthly Archives: May 2013

I read on a nearby plaque that many important people gave speeches at this very spot- so Maddux gave it a go!

The Pantheon is the only structure of its age, size and span that has successfully survived time and gravity. Most of the marble columns are the original, as is the huge bronze door. At the top of the dome is a hole called an oculus which is the only source of light. Some believe the Pantheon is still standing because it is divinely protected.

The Roman Forum is a rectangular forum surrounded by the ruins of lots of important ancient government buildings at the center of the city of Rome. I love how no one ever thought to take the buildings down and put up a parking structure or ugly high rise!

I just made a wish here, but some believe that if you toss three coins with your right hand over your left shoulder- you are guaranteed to return to Rome some day!
Lots of coins are tossed in every day- this place was packed. The money is said to be collected and given to various catholic charities.

Below the Colosseum was a labyrinth of underground passages. These passages allowed animals, actors, and gladiators to suddenly appear in the middle of the arena. Pretty cool! They would use trap doors, as well, to add in special effects.

The Colosseum is massive! It was capable of seating as many as fifty thousand people. In it’s prime- animal hunts, battle reenactments, dramas, executions and gladiator battles took place here.
Interesting factoid: around five hundred thousand people and a million wild animals were killed as part of the games in the Colosseum during the time it was used as a place of entertainment.